Thomas & Percy Retoolings

[GordonPacific04]

I'm not sure if this has been answered yet, but are these going to replace the existing toolings for Thomas & Percy? It wouldn't make sense to keep both of them.

This also goes for the repaints like LBSC Thomas and the DCC varrients. Will those be updated too?

And also by extension the Starter sets. Will those be updated to the new tooled Thomas? I can totally see them keeping the old tooling in those sets as a sort of "Budget" starter thomas. But I think having the new tooling with the brand new CGI face and the updated paint schemed UK Annie and Clarabel would be far more appealing.

Actually writing this out now, Annie and Clarabel. Of course fans have wanted they're updated paint schemes from the UK range, but would retooling Clarabel to have her guard compartment be a possibility?

[Zorran202]

(Photo via @SilverBand7 on Twitter)

Recently Rapido released their new Ivor the Engine in OO Gauge, and for such a little engine, it too has working lights (among other intricate details, and even DCC ready!). I think if Bachmann could find a way to incorporate the feature into the Thomas & Percy redesigns it'd add a lot of charm to the models. Ivor is proof you can have a lot in a small package and I certainly hope Bachmann gives Thomas & Percy similar treatment.

Keeping in mind that's assuming they can keep the costs down. Don't forget, they're trying to save money by reusing the chassis of the old models, and the only exception for the working lamp was Beau, but only because he practically reused an existing model from Bachmann's other range. ALSO seeing how expensive Ivor is (even with the consist of rolling stock included), that's gonna be a stretch alone...

[Cheeky_ULP]

I'm not sure if this has been answered yet, but are these going to replace the existing toolings for Thomas & Percy? It wouldn't make sense to keep both of them.

This also goes for the repaints like LBSC Thomas and the DCC varrients. Will those be updated too?

And also by extension the Starter sets. Will those be updated to the new tooled Thomas? I can totally see them keeping the old tooling in those sets as a sort of "Budget" starter thomas. But I think having the new tooling with the brand new CGI face and the updated paint schemed UK Annie and Clarabel would be far more appealing.

Actually writing this out now, Annie and Clarabel. Of course fans have wanted they're updated paint schemes from the UK range, but would retooling Clarabel to have her guard compartment be a possibility?

I would assume that by investing in new toolings, that the idea is to retire the old body shell entirely. In that regard, I'd expect DCC and alternate paint variants to follow suit in the coming years after.

Keeping in mind that's assuming they can keep the costs down. Don't forget, they're trying to save money by reusing the chassis of the old models, and the only exception for the working lamp was Beau, but only because he practically reused an existing model from Bachmann's other range. ALSO seeing how expensive Ivor is (even with the consist of rolling stock included), that's gonna be a stretch alone...

Economics is always going to have the final say in the matter, so it would depend if such a feature can be incorporated into the existing chassis. Ivor is used as an example from a technological level given how small the engine body is. Working lights, as mentioned in an earlier post, are a common feature on a lot of other OO scale models nowadays, even small and affordable tank engines.

[Chaz]

I'm not sure if this has been answered yet, but are these going to replace the existing toolings for Thomas & Percy? It wouldn't make sense to keep both of them.

This also goes for the repaints like LBSC Thomas and the DCC varrients. Will those be updated too?

And also by extension the Starter sets. Will those be updated to the new tooled Thomas? I can totally see them keeping the old tooling in those sets as a sort of "Budget" starter thomas. But I think having the new tooling with the brand new CGI face and the updated paint schemed UK Annie and Clarabel would be far more appealing.

Actually writing this out now, Annie and Clarabel. Of course fans have wanted they're updated paint schemes from the UK range, but would retooling Clarabel to have her guard compartment be a possibility?

I would assume that by investing in new toolings, that the idea is to retire the old body shell entirely. In that regard, I'd expect DCC and alternate paint variants to follow suit in the coming years after.

I'd like to echo this as well. It would be great if both the new Thomas and Percy came DCC-ready, along with updated DCC and sound options.

The DCC module Bachmann has provided for their Thomas models also includes sounds for other engines, including James, so if and when Bachmann gets around to introducing a new James, it would be especially welcome to see both a new DCC-ready James and a new James with DCC and sound.

It would be an easy way for Bachmann to kill two birds with one stone while also helping introduce more fans to DCC.